Just because I've done one doesn't mean I'm doneJust because I've done two doesn't mean I'm through

My name is Kevin Neumann. In 2008, after 10 years of being a runner, I did my first triathlon and was totally hooked. Shortly thereafter, I set the goal of becoming an Ironman by the time I turned 30. On September 11th, 2011, at the age of 28, I accomplished my goal and became an Ironman at Ironman Wisconsin. Once wasn't enough (it never is) and continued on to complete Ironman Mont Tremblant in 2012. The journey continues...

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Tagged

Well, my Google Reader list of blogs seems to be growing by the minute. I’d love to go and read everyone’s posts, but MattyO decided to tag me in his post today. No one told me this whole blogging thing would involve homework.

Tag 1

If you could eat anything without any health repercussions or guilt, what would your meal be? Pizza, Mexican food (tacos, burritos, fajitas, nachos), and Beer. In fact, I am typing this as I wait for our pizza to be ready for pickup. MMMMmmmmm Jet’s deep dish pizza.

If you could meet anyone living or dead who would it be and why? Not a clue. Requires way too much deep thinking for a Friday night.

Why did you start blogging and what did you expect when you started? I actually started blogging on a different blog than this one. I started a family blog where Jennie and I could post about things in our lives for family members to read. I handed over control to that blog to Jennie when I started this one. My first post on this blog was on May 18th, 2009, although there are some older posts that I imported from the old blog as well. When I started blogging, all I really expected was to have a way to digitally keep track of my training rather than keeping notes in a spiral notebook. Well, I got that and much, much more. I have met more people online than I thought I ever would. Hopefully I’ll even get to meet some of you face to face one of these days at a race. On top of that, the information that I get from reading other blogs is an invaluable resource that I could have never imagined.

What is the one book you could read over and over again?I love reading. However, I don’t think there is really a book that I could read over and over again. There are a couple books that I have read two or three times (Jurassic Park, Grapes of Wrath, John Grisham’s The Partner), but I can’t say that I am itching to pick any of them up again. I recently finished the Millennium Trilogy by Stieg Larrson which incredibly well written. I’m looking forward to the movies to start coming out next year. I’m currently on a James Rollins fix as well. He writes Dan Brown-esq mystery/action novels (he wrote movie novelization of the Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull). They are easy reads and enjoyable. I usually always have two or three books going at a time, but I am no where near the book worm that Jennie is. She can pick up a book, disappear under a blanket on the couch and finish the book within 24 hours.

If you could travel anywhere, where would it be?Ireland. Guinness at St. James’s Gate in Dublin. Need I say more?

If you could have a TV show on the Food Network, what would it be?I can’t say that I really have watched anything on the Food Network other than accidentally watching part of an episode of Giada (Jennie’s choice).

Update: My wife reminded me that I watch Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives (she has to remind me of things like this or I forget). I think this is actually on the Travel Channel rather than the Food Network, but it is probably my favorite food related TV show. It would be cool to travel around and eat at all sorts of small restaurants.

What was the best meal you ever had?Best meal sentimentally would have the be the lasagna dinner Jennie and I cooked the night I proposed. (+5 brownie points for me) Other than that, there are a couple excellent restaurants I have eaten at recently. Tre Cugini for our 5 year anniversary had awesome gnocchi and even better dessert. More recently, I had an amazing New York Strip steak at Gallagher’s Steakhouse in Las Vegas.

This is a picture of the meat refrigerator at Gallagher’s. Probably the best steak I have ever had.

Tag 2

The second tag had three steps:

1) Obligatory “Thank you” to MattyO for tagging me.

2) Share 7 Things About Yourself

1) I started at the company I work for doing Internet research 9 years ago. I eventually took over in-office tech support and began to learn how to program. Within a couple of years, I took over as lead developer on the team which is where I am now. I absolutely love my job and can’t imagine working anywhere else. It doesn’t hurt that I get to work from home, make my own hours, and work in my pajamas.

2) I like all sorts of music. My favorite bands are Dave Matthews Band, O.A.R., and U2, but I listen to anything from the Beatles to Eminem. I really haven’t been to many concerts though. Jennie and I are going to a Michael Buble concert next month – only the 4th concert I’ll have gone to. Granted Buble is more her cup of tea than mine, but the songs are catchy so it is hard to not like them.

3) We bought our house 4 and a half years ago on a handshake. No realtors, no complicated paperwork. The house was the second house of a friend of my boss. They were selling it to move back to Northern Michigan. We stopped by to look at the house before it was even listed, loved it, agreed to purchase it, shook hands, and moved in a month later. It made the home buying process so nice and stress-free. The only downside was that we never were able to take the obligatory picture next to the “Sold” sign because there never was one.

4) If it wasn’t for meeting Jennie, finding my current job, and meeting my Woodcock girls (best college friends ever), college was a complete waste of time. I started my current job my freshman year of college and learned far more there than I ever did in college. I dual majored in Math (yep, I’m a math geek) and Computer Sciences. I only had one beneficial computer class where I felt like I came away with more knowledge than I started. The math courses were very challenging (especially abstract algebra), however, I really don’t feel like I have used any of the knowledge past Calculus since graduating. I suppose you can make the argument that I have used the critical thinking aspect of math, but even that is a bit of a stretch.

5) I’ve lived in Grand Rapids my entire life. I had the option to go to Purdue for college, but really didn’t feel like doing the whole big college thing. It may be cliché, but I really do enjoy Michigan for its seasons. Winter does suck because I can’t bike outside, but I love running in the snow. Plus, as long as you bundle up, the winter can be a lot of fun.

6) I am a computer geek and proud of it. Not the kind of geek that wears “funny” geek t-shirts though. I just love computers and technology.

7) I’m a DIY-er. I hate paying someone else to do something that I could learn how to do and do myself. Being a homeowner makes sure that there are always projects that need doing. My dad is an electrician and all around handyman and taught me a lot and is always able to help me out if I get into a jam. Besides, being a DIY-er makes for a good excuse to buy new tools (more power).

3) Pass the award to other bloggers

Tag, you’re it. Quitsies, no anti-quitsies, no startsies, no tag-backs.*

12 comments

onelittletrigirl

Honestly, and I’ll never tell my future kids this…but college was a waste of my time too. I still do what I was doing IN college and my degree will not help me get a better paying job or benefits. And I didnt even get a spouse out of it!!!

dang it! i was hoping you’d cop out on the re-tagging. i mean… thanks! i’m pretty sure i’ve gotten that 2nd tag before but i probably never got around to it. i know, shame on me. hopefully i can remember to do my homework this time around – i will try to make you proud.

I just finished Steig Larson’s books too. They were so good. I kind of wonder if he was really done before he died, because although there was pretty much closure, I feel like L’ sister was going to pop up somewhere….ahh well.

I laughed out loud about “you are at a 10, we need you at about a 7″ that is my life summed up right there. I am the “on 10″ one though…always trying to dial it back a bit!

I agree that the books sort of wrapped up quickly. I kept thinking that there would be something more with the sister in the end as well. I heard (don’t know if this is true), that the series was originally going to be 10 books but the author died of a heart attack. I’ve also heard that a partially written 4th manuscript was found and that someone else may pick up the series and continue it.

Nothing wrong with being a 10 Gotta live and love life!

On an unrelated note, I saw your comment on another blog (Patrick’s maybe??) that you started running and signed up for your first marathon after the first week. You are crazy girl!!! I love it!

If you liked the Grapes of Wrath then you should check out Cold Mountain. Don’t judge it by it’s movie. My favorite part is when the main character is in the state capital at a building that’s still there but has been greatly improved by the presence of a Krispy Kreme.

wow you are super coordinated! i could never do all that on the bike. i don’t know if you have any other training partners but in the winter months i like to have “trainer parties”. they motivate you a ton and help those long sessions fly by.

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